Let me give you an example. Quite some time ago, little 3 year old Noah was calling a neighborhood boy named Lucas dumb. We quickly corrected this and explained that we don’t call people dumb. I think we got him cured of that, but I have learned that all children relapse at some point. In any case; Noah knows we don’t say “Lucas is dumb.”

Tonight, Josiah made Pasta for dinner. He is quite the helper I might add. Always working, cleaning, and cooking. A pretty great kid! Well, Noah didn’t want pasta for dinner and started yelling “pasta is dumb!” Stacy (once again) corrected the little mouth and said “hey! we don’t say pasta is dumb.” The clever tike never missed a beat when he replied, “pasta is Lucas!”

For those of you who have lost your edge and your mind is not quite as fresh as our little 3 year old. If A equals B, and B equals C, than A equals C too. Since Lucas is dumb and pasta is dumb, but Noah can’t say pasta is dumb; he settled for calling pasta, Lucas. In the famous words of Charlie Brown; GOOD GRIEF!

Last night at 4:30 am I received the phone call which I have been waiting  several days for. My dear Step-Mother Sandy went home to be with the Lord. Her passing was a peaceful one, but also one which was very unexpected. It was nearly a month ago now that Sandy suffered a stroke. After being rushed to the hospital the doctors performed a variety of tests to find the cause of the stroke. We waited several days for the results when another dreaded word entered into our lives…cancer. Just a little over a year ago Kevin lost his Mother to cancer. With her it seemed that we had more time to spend, talking with her, seeing her go through the chemo and struggles of her health. That wasn’t the case with Sandy. Everything happened so quickly and our minds are still spinning. It turned out that she had a very rare type of cancer that the doctors could not treat. They were still doing more tests though and during that time Sandy suffered several, small strokes.  Doctors estimated her time left to be about 6 months. After learning how extensive the cancer was throughout Sandy’s body, the doctors were not able to pursue any type of treatment and gave Sandy even less time than originally thought.  Her health started to decline fast. Within a month of her first stroke and learning about the news, she passed away. What a very bleak and unexpected time for the family, especially my father. But there was one glimmer of joy during this time!  Sandy gave her heart to the Lord and accepted Him as her Saviour. If it wasn’t for that, Sandy’s passing would truly be a devastating one. But because of the prayers (specifically those of 3 kids!) and the almighty mercy and grace of God, we can be happy for Sandy now that she is home in Heaven. Her last days weren’t the most pleasant, but where she is now surpasses any place we could ever imagine! What a tremendous thought to close your eyes here on earth and then wake up in Glory! Sandy received the hope of a better place when she accepted the Lord as her Saviour, and according to I Thessalonians, I don’t need to sorrow for her; I can be happy for her!

It was around 15 years ago now when I first met Sandy. I met her when I returned home from Bible College. I can’t remember the exact details of our first meeting, but I do remember quickly getting to know and like her. She was an open book and didn’t have trouble telling you what was on her mind, and letting you into her heart. She had never had kids of her own, so she was eager to accept me and my brother as her own kids. When Kevin asked my Dad for permission to marry me 14 years ago, he initially said no. My Dad was not ready to give his young daughter to marriage, but Sandy seemed to be a romantic at heart. It was through the persuasiveness of Sandy (and much prayer!), he finally said yes. Thank you Sandy! When our kids started to come, Sandy never saw them as anything less than HER grandchildren. She loved each of them with a Motherly love. She was the classic Mom-Mom spoiling each of the kids rotten. If Mom and Dad said no, surely Mom-Mom would say yes! If the kids were interested in a certain gift and Mom-Mom got wind of it, she easily convinced Pop-Pop to buy it for the kids. She enjoyed when the kids came to visit, which sadly was not very often since we traveled a lot. She was truly a wonderful woman with a giving heart of gold! My Dad has always been very busy working a lot, but I knew if I called, Sandy would answer the phone and talk to me for long periods of time wanting to know everything that was happening here. She had no problem remembering ALL the grand kids names and their birthdays! That is a tough job with all the grandchildren they have!

I tried to call Sandy each day while she was in the hospital and during her short time in Rehab. The stroke had effected her memory and I didn’t want her to forget me. I would ask her if she remembered who I was and she answered “of course I remember you! you’re my daughter!” She had trouble remembering the kids names and the names of others at the end, but up until a few days before her death, she remembered me and I am very touched by that. I’ve had the opportunity to know and love Sandy for only a short time, but I will always remember her as a wonderful Step-mother and Mom-Mom. She was a true Gem and I am so thankful that the Lord saw fit to take her home to Heaven with him. I know she will be there waiting to greet me when I get there. It makes waiting for my turn to go to Heaven a sweeter one!

Many ask “how did you come up with the name Micaiah?” Kevin was having personal devotions one day, and then came downstairs to call the family together to share what he had read. He read to us from I Kings 22 and taught us about a prophet named Micaiah. The King of Judah and the King of Israel (Jehoshaphat and Ahab) were planning to go into battle together and wanted to inquire of the Lord whether or not they should go. So they called 400 prophets together and all the prophets told them that they should go and the Lord would deliver the land into their hands and they would win the battle. Everyone was telling the Kings what they wanted to hear. Then, King Jehoshaphat asked, ” Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?” King Ahab answered in I Kings 22 verse 8… And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.
Micaiah was a man who didn’t bow to pressure or compromise his beliefs just because they were unpopular. He wasn’t afraid to say the words that the Lord gave to him. Out of 400 prophets (of which the Bible says had a lying spirit), He was the only one who unashamedly told the Kings the words of the Lord. Because of it, he was thrown in prison. We don’t hear much of Micaiah other than this chapter, but his testimony is a strong, Godly one.

We decided on the middle name James in honor of my childhood Pastor, James Doster. His faithfulness to the Lord pointed me to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ at the age of 14. Pastor Doster and his family helped me to grow in Christ and they have a huge part in where I am today. I can not thank them enough for their faithfulness to Christ, and the love they’ve shown to me throughout these 19 years. Pastor Doster has also been very close to our ministry here in Germany as he has spent countless hours talking, mentoring, and praying for us since our arrival 2 years ago. His church faithfully keeps in contact with us and prays for us. We are their Missionaries, and they make sure to show us their love and support. We are very thankful for each of them. After choosing the name James, we also saw it a fitting name as this year we celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. A Bible that we believe to be the perfect, preserved, inherent Word of God. We thank God for Pastor James Doster, and we also thank God for the King James Bible!

Our main concern now is trying to get him to eat as much as he should so he can gain the weight that he needs. His main priority seems to be sleeping at this point, so making him eat has been a bit of a challenge. I’m sure in a few years, that won’t be a problem at all. The only problem we will have is trying to feed 6 boys without going broke! Kevin and the kids have done a wonderful job taking care of me, and all the housework so I can relax and heal. I am thankful for each of them for their love and hard work!

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate them all.
Stacy

David made a break for the priest in Nob and took the showbread for his meal. Later, Jesus would use this example in his ministry while explaining the difference between the letter and spirit of the Law. While David certainly needed nourishment, he also needed a weapon. Sadly, he was being hunted by his own king. In my experience, “brothers and sisters” in Christ often pose a greater threat than the Devil himself. You don’t expect it from family!

And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste. (1 Samuel 21:8)

And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me. (1 Samuel 21:9)

It amazes me that David’s weapon came from a previously fought battle. I believe there is a strong analogy that can be drawn from this story and applied to our lives. May I suggest the next time you feel as though you are running from spiritual danger; your best weapon may come from a previous battle? While living in the past can be dangerous, forgetting the past is also unhealthy. When you win a battle, don’t forget what you learned in the process. There just may be some tool God intends for you to use in the future. Do you need a sword, a weapon, or something to defend yourself from the devil’s attack? Why not revisit some past victories granted by the LORD?

What may not be such common knowledge, is how Gideon perused after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of the Midianites. We see in Chapter 8, two towns refused to feed the army of Gideon while on their way through doing the Lord’s work. It sort of reminds me of the average 10 pastors I would contact before one pastor would allow me to share our ministry in their church.

Once Gideon caught up with these two evil kings, the Bible records this event:

And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.  (Judges 8:20)

Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels’ necks.  (Judges 8:21)

The Bible says Gideon’s son was afraid to slay the kings because he was yet a youth. My first thought was “hey, King David was a youth when he killed Goliath wasn’t he?” Notice these verses:

And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.  (1 Samuel 17:33)

King Saul was accustom to “hiding in the stuff” so he didn’t quite know how to handle this guy who feared only GOD. (The fear of man bringeth a snare Proverbs 29:25) If I had listened to everyone who told me “it can’t be done,” I wouldn’t be here in Germany, that’s for sure. David displayed the power of his GOD by toppling the Giant with a small stone. After the *thud* and assumed roar of the crowd, this “youth” confirmed his kill.

So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.  (1 Samuel 17:50)

Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.  (1 Samuel 17:51)

As I always tell Stacy when teaching her self defense, “dead men tell no tales.” Don’t ever give that criminal a chance to lie in a court of law and put you away forever. Make sure he is dead! When eliminating sin out of ones life, I recommend making sure it’s DEAD!

Now then, back to Gideon’s son. Why didn’t he slay those kings on the command of his father? He was yet a youth. The youth issue didn’t pose a problem for David did it? How about when Paul told Timothy, “let no man despise thy youth.” You know what I think? Teenagers could do a lot more for God than people realize. Society expects little more out of our youth than to hang out with friends, download i-tunes, post on facebook, and play video games.

I learned a secret as a young man. Young people are normally afraid, however; Christians are commanded not to be afraid. Yong people are often like animals who puff themselves up or flair their feathers in order to ward off predators. The little critter is scared out of it’s mind, but it puts on a show in hopes of chasing away the danger. Press the issue with these and they normally tuck tail and run. Likewise, when a spirit filled Christian youth is not afraid; he can accomplish great things for God. He can be a leader among his piers. He can share the message of the Gospel without shame or fear and others will listen. Many will admire the courage and see an example worth following. What about you? If you saw how big GOD is, you wouldn’t hesitate because of fear. CHARGE THE LINE!!!

In all my years (totaling 13) with my adoring wife, she has NEVER said my feet smell good. I took it as a compliment. In fact, in flattered me. Something was amiss (or afoot as the case may be). I took quick inventory of my memories to recall what might be to blame for my feet smelling good.  What did I do differently.

Just a few days ago, the snow began to fall and in compliance with German law, I had removed the snow from our sidewalk. I wore my military issue black leather combat boots to do this. My boots smell like leather, but that only smells good to guys. But wait, I remembered! Last year in the summer time, Noah was scouting the house (as his manner was/is) searching what he may fold, spindle, mutilate, or otherwise sabotage. Stacy and I both suspect Noah has ties to some terrorist organization because of the acts of terror he practices around the house. He found two items of interest. The first, was a Yankee candle, (a gift from me to my wife); the other was none other than my military boots. He emptied the sweet vanilla perfume from the candle into my combat boots and left the empty container as evidence. I think we wishes to receive the credit once the attack has been made.

Well, I soaked my boots in the tub overnight and dried them on the back porch. The smell was still too strong for any man to wear the boots without some element of shame. I left the said boots in the attic over the summer and into the fall. When it started getting cold out, I began wearing the boots and never noticed the vanilla. In fact, I had forgotten about the whole episode until Stacy commented on my sweet smelling feet. At this point, the perfume in my boots is the perfect potency. No one notices unless I take my boots off and put my feet in their face. I only put my feet in Stacy’s face occasionally, so I don’t see any losers in this situation.

In summary, if you have a severe problem with foot odor; you may have just learned a valuable trick. Leave a comment if you try it and your wife also thinks your feet smell good.

Amen